1. Prior to the construction of the M4 motorway around Pontardulais, an excavation of a site of possible antiquity was carried out by Anthony H. Ward B.A. on behalf of the Ancient Monuments Inspectorate in the summer of 1974. The results disclosed an earth platform with a ring of stones. At some stage the platform had been covered with a stone cap. Deposits of cremated bone were recovered. 'It is suggested that prior to this covering, the monument was analogous to the ring cairn-type of site, at least in
so far as the emphasis was on some activity not primarily concerned with the burial of human remains.' (
Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. CXXVII 1978, pp 40-54.)

2. Davies,
West Gower, Vol. II (1879) p.60 reports that 'a bronze celt' was found in an abandoned quarry at Pentre-Bach, Llandeilo Talybont near Pontardulais earlier in the nineteenth century.

3. The Via Julia Maritima was the Roman highway connecting Caerleon and Carmarthen. Rivet and Smith, The Place-names of Roman Britain, suggest that the river crossing at Lougher (Leucarum) was only possible at low water and that the Pontardulais - Hendy crossing 'stands above the head of tidal water.' (op. cit. p.174)

4. Teilo was born in Penalun (Penally near Tenby) in the sixth century. (
Y Bywgraffiadur Cymreig). His cult, prevalent in south west Wales, founded many churches including Llandeilo Talybont and the mother church at Llandeilo Fawr. Llandeilo Talybont was also known as Llandeilo Fach. The name Llandeilo Talybont (Teilo's church at the end of the bridge) appears as Lan Teiliau talypont in the Papal Bulls dated 1119 - 1131 due to a territorial dispute between the Bishops of Llandaf and St. David's. The bridge could well refer to the earlier Via Julia Maritima river crossing.

6. See
Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Documents in Wales, MO6. The motte and bailey castle has been known locally as Banc y rhyfel, Banc llwyn domen and rather fancifully as the roman hill.

7. ibid.

8. ibid. (it is probably after this destruction that the name Castell Du was coined.)

The Cowley map of 1744 shows that the only main road through Pontardulais is the one from
Swansea to Carmarthen via Llannon.
(This road crosses the Llwchwr river at the Pontardulais Bridge)

Another Swansea to Carmarthen road takes the Loughor and Kidwelly route
(This traverses the Llwchwr river by ford and ferry at Loughor)

The Swansea to Llandilo fawr road runs due north of Swansea
(This route follows the old ridgeway through Penlle'rcastell, crossing the Aman stream near Betws)

Kitchen Map of 1764

This map shows the three routes from Swansea to Carmarthenshire.
North via the old ridge-way to Betws and Llandeilo;
West to Carmarthen via a) Loughor ford and ferry and b) Pontardulais Bridge

Carey Map of 1794

A second route was now in operation between Swansea and Llandilo. The road from Pontardulais
was upgraded and extended through Llanedy parish (via the church, onwards to Cross Inn and Llandybie).

In 1756, extensive repairs had been carried out on Pontardulais Bridge
1which would enable it to cope with the increase in traffic.

By 1794, the Kidwelly Turnpike Trust had established a route between Llanelly and Pontardulais.
This route was used by stage coaches to Carmarthen in conjunction with the Llannon route.

The Royal Mail coach was now passing through Pontardulais via Llannon for Carmarthen.
By 1807, a daily horse post carried mail bags from the Pontardulais office to Llanelly
2

Lewis Map 1833

By 1818, the Pontardulais to Mynydd Mawr or Great Mountain section of the Swansea to Llandeilo road had been opened. (This road crossed the Gwili stream at Pont Abraham, also known as Gwilly Bridge.
It joined the Llanelly to Llandeilo road at Cross Hands.)

The Lewis Map shows the four Carmarthenshire routes from Pontardulais.
South to Llanelly, west to Llannon, north-west to Mynydd Mawr (Cross Hands) and north to Cross Inn, Llandebie and Llandilo-Vawr.

By 1834, a bridge had been erected across the Llwchwr river at Loughor which would take most of the
Swansea to Llanelly and Carmarthen traffic away from Pontardulais.

"From the influx of the MARLES to the bottom of LLANNERCH ONNVYW. Across CWM ONNVYW to the 'GUYTH LUNGUYD' to the CAM-GWILI. Across the CAM-GWILI to the HYTIR MELYN. From the HYTIR MELYN straight on to the LLWCHWR on the other side. Along the LLWCHWR upwards as far as CAMFFRWD. Along the CAMFFRWD on the church side of LLWCHWR to its source to ALLT MINCHEI, (CEVEN DRUM). Along the ALLT to DULES. Through the DULES-ES as far as DINAS CYNLLYVAN. Along the side as far as opposite the source of the CYNVRAN.
Along the further CYNVRAN as far as the LLWCHWR."

Deric John's list of properties, landowners and tenants from a transcription by Derek Williams.
The annual rents have not been included.
The original documents may be viewed at the Glamorgan Record Office, Cardiff.

FROM THE CARDIFF LIBRARY COLLECTION IN THE GLAMORGAN RECORD OFFICE
CL Manorial I/323 Glamorgan box 3